Yquem sale makes 775,000

The most extensive collection ever of Chteau d'Yquem has been sold for a record-breaking 775,000.

Every consecutive vintage of the Sauternes producer from 1860 to 2003 was sold by the London-based Antique Wine Company to the Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat on the French Riviera.

The 135-bottle collection included nine empty bottles, signed by the director of Yquem, to represent the years when no wine was made due to poor weather. A total of 26 bidders from 11 countries, including Japan, the USA, Hong Kong, Russia and the UK, took part in the sale. During the final

24 hours of the sale, the price increased from 550,000 to the final sum of 775,000.

Michael Galopin, general manager of the French hotel, said: We are proud to be bringing the finest collection of Yquem back to France. With this acquisition and a series of fine wine events we intend to increase the hotel's reputation by creating an international centre of wine excellence.'

The Antique Wine Company currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most valuable bottle of white wine ever sold - a 1787 Chteau d'Yquem. The most valuable bottle currently on the market is an 1811 Yquem, at 50,000.